Steering wheel boss query

[Buffoon]

Having done a lot of work on steering and supension, I had to realign steering wheel to centre. Done this before with no issues but this time things have not gone so well.

To cut a long story short, where the aluminium boss on the back of the wheel fits into what I can best describe as the mating cup within the column the mating surfaces bind badly. Any ideas?

I also notice that the shaft which projects into the cup via the upper column bearing has a split plastic tapered sleeve floating on it. This appears to serve no purpose whatsoever because when the wheel is refitted it does not touch it?

Should have taken pictures I know

All help and advice gratefully received

[Ireland]

Buffoon said:

.....Should have taken pictures I know .....

I agree.

I've pulled most of this apart and I'm lost, I have no idea what bits you are talking about.

[Buffoon]

Ireland said:

Buffoon said:

.....Should have taken pictures I know .....

I agree.

I've pulled most of this apart and I'm lost, I have no idea what bits you are talking about.

Fantastic

Guess this post will sink to the murky depths for now. Will drag the camera out next time I have the wheel off.

[APMAUTO]

Buffoon said:

Having done a lot of work on steering and supension, I had to realign steering wheel to centre. Done this before with no issues but this time things have not gone so well.

To cut a long story short, where the aluminium boss on the back of the wheel fits into what I can best describe as the mating cup within the column the mating surfaces bind badly. Any ideas?

I also notice that the shaft which projects into the cup via the upper column bearing has a split plastic tapered sleeve floating on it. This appears to serve no purpose whatsoever because when the wheel is refitted it does not touch it?

Should have taken pictures I know

All help and advice gratefully received

the plastic coller should locate on a recess on the actuall column sounds like the column has dropped down under the spring pressure, you need to pull the column up against the spring to relocate the plastic coller look under the lower dash and you should see the spring it should all become apperent then p.s don't drive it as you will break the cancellation board for the indicators
hth andy

[Buffoon]

APMAUTO said:

Buffoon said:

Having done a lot of work on steering and supension, I had to realign steering wheel to centre. Done this before with no issues but this time things have not gone so well.

To cut a long story short, where the aluminium boss on the back of the wheel fits into what I can best describe as the mating cup within the column the mating surfaces bind badly. Any ideas?

I also notice that the shaft which projects into the cup via the upper column bearing has a split plastic tapered sleeve floating on it. This appears to serve no purpose whatsoever because when the wheel is refitted it does not touch it?

Should have taken pictures I know

All help and advice gratefully received

the plastic coller should locate on a recess on the actuall column sounds like the column has dropped down under the spring pressure, you need to pull the column up against the spring to relocate the plastic coller look under the lower dash and you should see the spring it should all become apperent then p.s don't drive it as you will break the cancellation board for the indicators
hth andy

Thanks Andy

Have already reset cancellation board so not catching. Will pull up wheel in forward position and reset again if I can work it out.

I hear what you are suggesting re the collar, but it does not compute at the moment

[APMAUTO]

Buffoon said:

APMAUTO said:

Buffoon said:

Having done a lot of work on steering and supension, I had to realign steering wheel to centre. Done this before with no issues but this time things have not gone so well.

To cut a long story short, where the aluminium boss on the back of the wheel fits into what I can best describe as the mating cup within the column the mating surfaces bind badly. Any ideas?

I also notice that the shaft which projects into the cup via the upper column bearing has a split plastic tapered sleeve floating on it. This appears to serve no purpose whatsoever because when the wheel is refitted it does not touch it?

Should have taken pictures I know

All help and advice gratefully received

the plastic coller should locate on a recess on the actuall column sounds like the column has dropped down under the spring pressure, you need to pull the column up against the spring to relocate the plastic coller look under the lower dash and you should see the spring it should all become apperent then p.s don't drive it as you will break the cancellation board for the indicators
hth andy

Thanks Andy

Have already reset cancellation board so not catching. Will pull up wheel in forward position and reset again if I can work it out.

I hear what you are suggesting re the collar, but it does not compute at the moment

i'll see if i can explain it more the plastic coller holds the column up by locating in a groove in the column and sits on the top bearing when correctly located its designed to pop off with any shock to the column so the column drops away under the pressure of the spring you may need to use a pair of grips to compress the spring and expose the groove in the column basically the inner column needs to be further up in the outer one any help?

[Buffoon]

Managed to pry the kids and missus from computer to post pics

1st shows nylon collet adrift from shaft, second correctly located.

Thanks to Andy, was a doddle to fix. When I looked at it first time it was in bad light so did not notice the shaft was grooved. 1st 5 min job that took 5 mins in quite a while

[Ireland]

Glad you got it sorted.



As it turns out I'd have been no use to you as I failed to get my wheel off.

I reckon it's glued on.

For what it's worth, how EXACTLY did you get the wheel off?

[JensenA]

Ireland - once you've undone the nut, it should just pull off, there is nothing else that holds it on! I know you're not a mechanical numpty, so I can't think what is preventing your's coming off - Time for a big heavy rubber mallet methinks

[Buffoon]

JensenA said:

Ireland - once you've undone the nut, it should just pull off, there is nothing else that holds it on! I know you're not a mechanical numpty, so I can't think what is preventing your's coming off - Time for a big heavy rubber mallet methinks

Mallet may be cause of collet popping.

Mine falls off everytime I sneeze (steering wheel)it has been apart do often.

Fairly simple to make a purpose puller, but if you remove the allen screws and ribbon cable from steering wheel, you can use a stndard bearing puller on remaining bracket. They can be tricky getting to stay on, so I use 2 legs only and clamp the tops of the legs together to stop it popping off. Sounds a bit S&M that!

[APB_V8]

I had problems getting the boss of mine. I got a gear puller from halfords, hand tightened it and went of to find a spanner to carry on turning the centre nut on the puller. There was a bang and the boss dropped off, didn't even need to tighten it up any further!

Hope this helps

[Ireland]

I've tried pulling on the wheel, tried the mallet, tried (and actually broke) a pullers trying to shift it.

It's seriously tight.

I reckon someone glued it on last time and I can't move it.

Everything is working (for now) so I'm leaving well-enough alone but now that I've seen pics of what's in there it should help a bit when I do have to remove it.

I'm thinking of pouring a small amount of thinners / nail-varnish remover (her-indoors, not mine ..... HONESTLY) onto it once I've removed the bolt to see if it can dissolve the glue.

I actually thought it was a splined shaft and reckoned that's why it wouldn't budge.


The joys of Cerbs, eh?

[APB_V8]

Hi Ireland

If I were you I would leave acetone (nail varnish remove) alone for now as it will damage the plastics etc. Try placing a gear puller on it under moderate tension and add some penetrating oil (not as agressive as acetone or chloroform but will soften any glue with no damage to the surrounding plugs etc and act as a lubricant) and then leave overnight. Hopefully it will have shifted with constant pressure over a prolonged period.